LEGAL wranglings and ever-changing line-ups have failed to extinguish the music of the Electric Light Orchestra.

The magical melodies of the Birmingham band continue to thrill thanks to their use in films, adverts and television programmes - and concerts by The Orchestra feat Former Members Of ELO and ELO Part 2.

That convoluted name is down to one of those legal wranglings - and the current line-up features Eric Troyer (keys and vocals), Kelly Groucutt (bass and vocals), Phil Bates (guitar and vocals), Mik Kaminski (violin), Louis Clark (string synthesisers) and Gordon Townsend (drums).

"We have decided to revitalise the band and we plan to include some old numbers that we haven't really done before," says Kelly Grocutt of the band's forthcoming show at Birmingham's Alexandra Theatre on Sunday. "For instance, we're doing Hello Hello from the first ELO2 album and Twist and Shout. Also, we're working out some medleys."

I suggest that it must be strange for Kelly to be performing Jeff Lynne's music after the way he was unceremoniously ousted from ELO by Jeff in the early 80s.

"No, I don't mind singing them at all," he counters. "When I first joined ELO Part 2 it was because they needed someone who knew the old songs. It's a great pity that Jeff and I aren't still friends. But I have no problem at all doing the music. They're great songs."

With three eras of music to choose from - ELO, ELO Part 2 and The Orchestra -there's a huge number of songs to choose from.

"About 90 per cent of the show will be old ELO songs, with of course favourites like Ma Ma Ma Belle and Don't Bring Me Down included," Kelly reveals. "They really bring the house down. The material from The Orchestra's album No Rewind is something else entirely, it has collaborations from everybody but still has its roots in the ELO sound."

In the past, ELO's lighting and laser effects were quite spectacular, and the ELO Part 2 show was also pretty eye-catching.

So what can we expect on the current tour?

"Whilst we have some really talented guys in the lighting department we feel the music is the most important thing," says Kelly. "The emphasis will be on the sound much more than the visuals, especially on the UK tour."

The future looks bright for The Orchestra. Reveals Kelly: "There are things in the pipeline. The idea is to keep busy touring. We're going all over the place; Europe, Russia and we are very popular in The Baltics.

"We also need to talk abut doing another studio album, but with me, Phil and Mik living in the UK, Louis in Ohio, Eric in New Jersey and Gordon in Los Angeles, it's a logistical nightmare. But you never know."

* Ticket info

The Orchestra feat Former Members of ELO and ELO PART 2 play the Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, on Sunday. Tickets: £30 from 0844 847 2293.